Books by Mark Escobar

As a spiritual shepherd, my mission is to serve Christ through my sisters and brothers in this world. I am called to be true to my vocation, to Christ himself. My priesthood reflects that biblical leadership of shepherding. It belongs not exclusively to the clergy but to the whole people of God. Christ the Lord, High Priest taken from among men (Heb. 5:1-5) made a kingdom and priests to God his Father (Rev.1:6-8) out of their new people. By the same token, it reminds me of what Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "What we have learned from others becomes our own reflection." In the course of time, I have come to terms with people of all backgrounds and cultures. They have taught me how to shape that sense of vision and hope in me that has been significant in responding to their needs with sensitivity to the presence of God in cultures and other religious traditions. They have provided me with inspiration that, on my part, has generated reflections and even multiple mental pictures of what I mean by theology and ministry in the grassroots.

Drawn from the fine insights found in biblical interpretations, literary works, films, historical contexts, contemporary trends in human experiences, and major theological themes, the author tries to connect the Sunday gospel readings to people's lives in light of the Scriptures. He regularly makes use of literary works as a springboard or potential approach to explore the dynamics of Jesus' messages especially on human relationship and how they make sense to specific situations where it might help illuminate the issue.On bits and pieces - along with crooked lines is a compilation of homilies that attempts to share life experiences in relation to the Word of God. It is a form of sharing that provides a perspective of opening ourselves to others on the reality of God in our respective lives. It is looking at individual's significance vis-a-vis others where we find the wherewithal to carry on while we shape the dimension of humanity being addressed to our call of discipleship."If to be human is to live in community, then to alienate ourselves from community, in monologue, is to cut ourselves from our own humanity." As Christians, our interconnectedness aims to unite us in harmony and enables us to strive more deeply for the wholeness of the person. It is implicit in our calling that we are made for others -brothers and sisters. As Himes points out, "Belonging, respect, friendship, forgiveness, love are essential to human well-being, but they are not easily addressed by the language and concept of rights."